So far, users are currently five times less likely to be running Windows 8 as they were Windows 7 at the same point before its launch. The new statistics come from research firm Net Applications and indicate a lukewarm reception of the Windows 8 operating system by consumers.

Windows 7 was a follow-up to Windows Vista, which was one of the more maligned versions of Microsoft's operating system in recent years. Windows 7 lured many upgraders not only from Vista, but from the older XP operating system as well. Windows 8 doesn't have the luxury of following an unloved version of Windows like Windows 7.

The statistics offered by Net Applications only count computer users who installed preview versions of Windows 8 and preview versions of Windows 7. The statistics are believed to provide a clear indication of consumer interest in the operating system rather than a desire or need for new computer hardware.

In September, only 0.33% of all computers using Windows relied on Windows 8. That works out to 33 out of every 10,000 Windows machines using Windows 8. By the end of September 2009, with very similar time remaining before the launch of Windows 7, the operating system accounted for 1.64% of all Windows PCs working out to 164 out of every 10,000 units.

Analysts are beginning to believe that Microsoft won't see the uptick in OS sales that it hoped for with Windows 8. Gartner recently advised clients that it predicts the operating system would top out at only 20 to 25% share in the corporate environment.

Interesting, I used it on a notebook connected to a large external monitor and have no issues with it. I use the metro screen as a shortcut for launching programs and could not care less about metro apps, so it works fine for me.

Its too in your face, I could deal with it if it only took up say.. 1/4 of the monitor, at least then I wouldn't feel like I had to give it all my attention... although it has such low information density that it would probably be useless for anything but the search at that size.

The fact is that MS is doing what they are doing not because metro is a superior desktop interface (its not) what it is is a way for them to cram their app store down the throats of the windows user base. They are hoping to get a 30% cut of all software sales on PCs and if metro is a big hit Windows 9 will probably have an even more crippled version of the desktop than windows 8.